Guide to Dog Aggression Behavior

What You Need To Know

Dog aggression behavior is a natural canine behavior that exists in all dogs, some more than others. It is usually provoked by a specific circumstance such as confusion regarding the status of a stranger and is often related to a dog's herding/chasing behavior or prey drive. Most dogs become socialized when on a leash and learn how to control the prey drive. Also herding behavior sometimes looks like predatory behavior when all this type of dog wants to do is to move other animals to a location of their choosing (see our tips for this behavior below) Others don't learn the lesson or act out of fear as a driver of the behavior.

Review the proposed dog aggression training solution below. Other treatment options include modification of the environment and animal handling, drug therapy or surgery. Any sign of aggressive dog behavior should be addressed to ensure that it doesn't lead to an unacceptable dog behavior problem.

Signs of Dog Aggression Behavior

There are many signs of aggressive dog behavior.
Theses include:

Baring teeth

Growling

Snarling

Lifting a lip

Snapping

Nipping (bitings without causing a break in
your skin)

Biting

Refusal to Allow a Human to Touch a Possession
such as a Dog Dish

In most cases, there is a clear and identifiable
reason for aggressive behavior in a dog, although it can be difficult
to understand and diagnose.

Aggressive Dog Breeds

Understanding what are aggressive dog breeds is harder than you think. Dogs tend to be bred for a purpose. For example, if an owner wants a quiet dog, then a Beagle is not a good choice. If you want a dog that does not exhbit herding behaviors, then avoid dogs such as Border Collies and Australian Shepherds. Studies have not shown inheritability of unpredictable aggression. Said another way, aggression is more specific to an individual dog, then it is to an entire breed. In terms of tempermant, research has also shown that there is greater individual variability between dogs across litters than there is for a specific breed. For the most part, behavior is a sign of a dog's individuality.(1) Using dog bite databases, research has shown that the propensity of a dog to bite is in line with the number in the population, indicating that no one breed is more aggressive than another. Studies have not conclusively shown that breeds widely thought to be more aggressive such as Pit bulls are in fact no more aggressive than other breeds.

The American Temperament Test Society does publish a list of dogs and the percentagethat failed a temperament test which measures how dogs relate to humans. Note that the majority of dogs in each breed passed the test! Dogs with the lowest scores are:

Chihuahua (68% passed, 42% failed)

Dachshund (68% passed, 42% failed)

Chow Chow (71% passed, 29% failed)

Doberman Pinscher (78% passed, 22% failed)

Dalmation (83% passed, 17% failed)

Rottweiler (84% passed, 16% failed)

Jack Russell Terrier (84% passed, 16% failed)

German Shepherd (84% passed, 16% failed)

American Staffordshire/Pit Bull Terrier (87% passed, 13% failed)

Siberian Husky (87% passed, 13% failed)

Medical Causes of Aggression in Dogs

When a veterinarian sees a an aggressive dog, they will do a thorough physical and neurological examination. Medical conditions that can cause aggression in dogs includes:

Territorial
Dog Aggression: Territorial dog behavior occurs when defending an area containing something important to the dog. Often encouraged through selected breeding in some breeds.

Predatory
Aggression: displayed by any breed presented with fast moving objects or squeaky noises. Encouraged in some breeds by selective breeding.

Aggression
With Another Pet: Complex form of aggression where a dog's status, learned behaviors, play, fear, hormones or redirected aggression may play a role.

One form of aggression include:

Maternal Aggression where a dog is hormonally driven during pregnancy or false pregnancy.

Play Aggression: When a dog bites and scratches during play. This can lead to learned aggression.

Pain Aggression: developed when a dog is injured or uncomfortable. This can also lead to learned aggression. Pain is by a mile the most common form or cause of aggression.

Protective Aggressiion: When defending a resource such as another animal or person.

Redirected Aggressiion: When a dog is frustrated due to being denied a toy, play, food or toys.

Food Related Aggression: When a dog acts out when they bleieve that they will be losing something valuable such as food. Involves learned aggression.

Canine Possession Aggression: Possessive aggressive dog behavior occurs when a dog wants to keep something such as a toy, sleeping area. Often related to status related aggreesion. Similar to food related, protective and territorial aggression.

Status Related Aggression: When a dog has learned behaviors regarding its' position in a group and the acceptable social beahvior. It is related to a dog expressing leadership and protection vs. domination. In this case dominant dog behavior modification is needed.

Medical or Idiopathic Aggression: Related to unpredictable adn extreme displays of aggression. It is rare but can be dangerous. Some causes are pain or dysfunctional or a degenerating nervous system.

Learned Aggression: Occur over time when a dog learns what forms of aggression lead to a desired outocme. Some dogs are taught to be aggressive by being rewarded for exhibiting these types of behaviors.

Most forms of aggression can be helped by following a training
program
that involves behavioral modification. This means simply that you
reinforce positive behaviors with rewards and remove any actions on
your part that can be confusing.

Dog Dominance Behavior

Dogs are pack animals, and your dog views you as a
member of his pack. There is always a "pecking order" in the pack. If
your dog views you as a step below him in the pecking order, he may
respond to what he perceives as challenges to his position with what is
called dominant dog behavior. If he is bothered while sleeping or if he
is made to move off the bed or couch, he may perceive that as a threat
to his dominance. He may also perceive physical restraint, even in the
form of a hug, as threatening. Your dog may also be aggressive toward
other dogs in order to establish his dominance.

Dogs who display dominance aggression are
generally very nice and friendly when they do not feel they are being
challenged and they are often described as having a "Jekyll and Hyde"
personality.

Get your dog into the habit of following your
commands and the rewards associated with doing so. Work on commanding
your dog, Have each member of the family do this individually. Reward
your dog with a treat when they do what you ask.

Ask your dog to do something before you reward
for your dog. For example before you go for a walk or provide food, ask
for obedience with a command such as sit.

Keep some parts of the house off limit to your
dog. For example, do not allow your dog to go up on a bed or couch.
Teach that their are places that are not acceptable.

Don't pet your dog when your dog asks. This is
a form of control. Pet your dog when you want to.

Ignore your dog when he is exhibiting a
negative or dog aggression behavior. Do not reward his behavior by
acting in the way your dog wants. Do not fight your dog, just walk away.

If all this doesn't help, then their are some
medications made for dog aggression behavior that might help. Your
veterinarian can discuss anti-anxiety, anti-depressants and
anti-obsessives.

Fear-Motivated Dog Aggression
Behavior

This occurs when your dog perceives a threat of
being harmed. There may not actually be a risk, but your dog perceives
it that way. For instance, if you raise your arm suddenly, your dog
might be afraid of being hit. He may bite you to protect himself. This
type of aggression is particularly common in dogs who have been abused
in the past. The key is not to put your dog in crowds or situations that induce fear, but to work up to these situations so that they do not trigger the fear response.

Solution

First, make sure you have a good harness so that you can keep your dog from lunging at others. You need to be able to control your dog and move her away from dangerous situations. We recommend the Freedom No-Pull Harness with a separately purchased Double-handled Leash. This type of leash makes it easier to quickly turn a dog away from another dog or person. The two handled leash allows for one end to be attached to the halter and the other attached to the side of the halter.

The Halti Training Harness by Company of Animals with a Two handled Leash Is An Excellent Choice When Training A Dog to Avoid Situations That Trigger Aggressive Behavior.Shown: Halti Trianing Harness From Amazon

The key to helping your dog is to identify what is
causing the fear and then using behavioral modification techniques to
help him get over this fear. A typical situation is that your dog is
nice to you, but barks at any visitors. Some dogs are only fearful of
certain types of people such as children.

To help with this kind of behavior you will need
to follow the steps for behavior modification. Be sure not to yell at
your dog for exhibiting the wrong behavior as this will enhance his
anxiety.

If you pass a dog or person that usually triggers your dog to act aggressively, and the dog does not react, give your dog a treat and affirm the behavior verbally by telling your dog what a good boy he is.

If your dog does start to go after something or someone that he shouldn't be going after, firmly and evenly say "leave it." If your dog responds by backing off, then provide some verbal affirmation and move away from whatever triggered the behavior.

If the second step is not effective, and your dog contiues to go after another dog, don't yell. Instead step close to the dog touching him with your leg. HOld the leash attached to his back with a hand on his side. Hold the leash attached to his chest with your hand on the other side of him. Then pivot the dog away from the trigger until it is out of sight. Then walk away and praise the dog. You are teaching the appropriate behavior, which is to turn away and walk away. The positive praise creates an incentive for the "ignore and avoid" behavioral approach.

Other ideas to try:

Make sure you take your dog out for walks or
exercise.

Work with your dog on obedience commands at
least 15 or 20- minutes each day such as sit or lay down. Reward
behavior that meets your request including a pat on the chest or a food
treat.

Behavior modification (desensitization and counter conditioning): Desensitize your dog to whatever is triggering the behavior. For example if your dog dislikes other adults, then have
an adult that causes your dog to bark say hello to you and the dog from
a distance. The next time have the adult come closer when saying hello.
Continue this process until the adult volunteer is near you. Have this
person give you a treat for the dog so that the dog sees that it came
from the trigger person. With patience this should start to associate
the person with a reward or positive behavior.

You can also consider medications that might
calm the dog aggression behavior. You might also consider a natural
remedy that contains ingredients known to calm anxious dogs such as PetAlive
Aggression Formula.

Protective, Possessive, and
Territorial Dog Behavior

These are all similar forms of dog aggression
behavior. Being protective of your family or his space is a natural
behavior of dogs. Protective aggression occurs when your dog perceives
a threat towards you and becomes aggressive in order to protect you.
Possessive aggressive dog behavior occurs when he feels the need to
protect his food, toys, or other important things. Territorial
aggression occurs when he feels the need to protect his territory. It's
important to understand that he not only feel your house and yard is
his territory, but other areas as well. If you walk your dog around the
block and he urine marks the area, he may feel the whole block is his
territory.

The key to treating territorial behavior is to
change your dog's perception of what needs to be protected. Steps you
can take include:

Exercise with your dog for an hour.

As mentioned for other forms of aggression, use
commands to teach your dog obedience. Reward your dog with a treat and
affection when he follows your command to sit or stay.

Isolate your dog in a room of the house where
he will not be distracted by things that trigger that unwanted
behavior. Block any windows that provide access to outside intruders.

If expecting company, and if that is the cause,
use a new toy or a toy filled with treats such as a Kong Toy to
distract your dog.

Desensitize your dog to the thing that is
causing the behavior through exposure to the object at a distance. Then
bring the trigger closer and closer such as a car or another animal.

Try to intervene after one bark with a treat.
This will train your dog to limit the number of barks without having to
eliminate or work on your dog's natural instinct.

Try and avoid situations where you have to grab
your dog by the collar or yank him or her away. This could be perceived
as joining your dog in the behavior vs. preventing it. A better
approach would be to move your dog from the room if you know that
people are visiting and your dog will react.

Prescription medications may help with this
behavior or a natural
remedy
made for this purpose.

Dog Aggression Behavior Toward Owner

Complaints of aggressive behavior toward the dog
owner is the most common behavioral problem brought to veterinarians.
There can be several causes for your dog exhibiting this type of
behavior:

Medical cause: something is medically wrong
with your dog that needs to be addressed.

Dominant Attitude: a need to be the dominant or
most important member of the family "pack".

Fear: Your dog assumes an aggressive posture
because of fear. The look and posture of your dog is a way to
distinguish between a dog that feels the need to dominate vs. one that
is acting in fear.

Predatory Dog Aggression Behavior

Some dogs have a strong predatory drive. They
might perceive a cat or squirrel as being possible prey. To prepare
your dog for another pet in the house consider doing the following:

1 hour of exercise a day.

Buy a comfortable fitting head collar and try
it on your dog.

Practice having your dog follow your commands
such as sit or stay. Reward positive behavior but do not punish for bad
behavior.

Separate your dog from any new animal in
separate, but adjoining rooms. Use a gate such as a baby gate so the
two animals can see each other but not go near each other. Another
approach is to have one pet in a room and then take it out. Then bring
in the next pet into the same room once the 1st pet has been removed,
so that he can smell that the other pet was there. The idea is to
familiarize each dog or cat with the other animal and then gradually
allow them to be closer together. If both pets ignore each other then
you can introduce them to each other in a safe way; such as having each
on a leash at a safe distance.

Although this isn't a comfortable decision, if
your dog continues to lunge at the new pet and show dog aggression
behavior, then your dog may need a muzzle whenever he is a potential
threat. Safety is always the first priority.

Dog Aggression Behavior and a New Baby

Babies can be confusing to dogs since they are
different then the types of people they are used to. Your dog may not
even consider your baby a person.

Introducing a baby starts before the baby actually
comes home. Bring home a piece of the baby's clothing so your dog gets
used to the scent. When you arrive home have one adult that is not
holding the baby greet the dog first. Consider a head collar if your
dog is acting aggressively.

Over time allow the dog to come closer to the baby
when it is being held in your arms. Be sure that your dog is on a leash
and only let him smell, not lick.

If your dog gets jealous provide a Toy
by Kong which is a
treat filled to keep him distracted and busy. Do not allow your baby
and dog to be alone in the same room. Work with a dog behaviorist if
their are any signs of aggression or if you are concerned.

Coping with Dog Aggression Behavior

Visit your vet to rule out any medical problems
that might be causing your dog to behave aggressively.

Get professional help as soon as you realize
your dog has a problem. Don't expect your dog to grow out of
it. Dog aggression behavior will not go away by itself, and will likely
get worse over time.

Take safety precautions. Keep your dog confined
as necessary. Don't expose him to people if he is at risk of biting
them. Remember, you are liable for your dog's behavior.

Avoid situations where your dog is more likely
to become aggressive.

Have your dog neutered or spayed. He or she will
be less likely to be aggressive afterward.

Don't punish your dog. It won't help, and will
likely make matters worse. It will likely cause your dog to become more
aggressive.

Moving From On Leash to Off Leash

Obviously, a dog needs to be well trained and behaving on-leash before moving off leash. Try follwoing the three step solution above first so that your dog runs to you for a treat every time they see another person, animal or dog instead of a fear lunge reaction.

For dogs that need mroe work, consider limiting off-leash activities to areas such as the woods so that they can get some "off-leash" time to balance out the time in civilization where you need your dog to behave on a leash. An alternative is to try some structured activities such as earth dog courses, lure courses or flyball classes.

Dog Playing Flyball with the Ball Acting As a Substitue for Prey.

Flyball Courses

Flyball is a sport where four dog's relay a ball to each other as they jump over hurdles. Each dog partent races the dog through as fast as possible so that in catching the balls, the dog finds himself in a fun activity of jumping and running. Getting their mouth on a ball is similar to getting the mouth on prey.

Lure Courses

Lure courses help dogs go for "the kill." In a fenced in area a plastic bag is attached ot a machine and the dog is let off leash to track the bag as it is pulled along a long line, zigzagging like prey trying to escape.

Earth Dog Courses

Earth dog courses are for hounds and small terriers. The course can be a 10-foot tunnel or a long tunnel with turns and twists. An odor is placed along the course leading the dog to a hole to a mock den in the ground that has whatever is being smelled. Dog's do barking and digging to get to the smell.

Agility courses might also be a good option for a dog exhibiting predatory behaviors.

Herding Dog Behavior

Herding behavior, such as what is seen in Corgi's, can look like aggression behavior. If this is the problem, then consider a hearding class. The class will fulfill the dog's need to heard and might provide some relief from the behavior when away from class.

Dog Aggression Medications

There are three indications for the use of medication when treating dog aggression:

Violence or high impulsivity

Signs of anxiety related to the aggressiveness

Worsening problem or one that has lasted a long time after trying other methods of behavior modification

Dog Aggression Medications

Frequently used medications or drugs are inhibitors of serotonin reuptake (SSRI). The medication is called fluoxetine at a dose of 1-2 mg/kg every 24 hours for a minimum period of 2 to 3 months. Medication doesn't solve the problem, but will reduce any intensity of the aggressive dog behavior.

Surgery for Dog Aggressive Behavior

Males

Neutering males is a first step in treating aggression. The age when neutered doees not influence the effectiveness of the surgery, so it is never too late.

Females

Females are sterlized if the aggression has not appeared before the first heat and if when the aggression appears is clearly associated with the entry into estrus, pseudopreganancy or preganancy, and the aggression reduces when these conditions are no longer present.

Conclusion

Some Dogs have genetic propensities for certain behaviors that make it hard for them to adjust to a crowded human world without a little help. Take the time to teach the right reaction or behavior with positive reinforcement. We do not condone the use of shock collars or punishment, but instead encourage owners to find positive ways to teach their dog the most rewarding reaction to a situation.

Ask Our Vet A Question, We'll Answer It For Free

Have A Dog Behavior Question or Story?

Do you have a question for our veterinarian about Dog behavior? If yes, we will answer it for free.